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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Natural Remedies for Sweet Dreams: Stop Counting Sheep and Sleep!

If you are counting sheep instead of
sleeping, have no fear, there are many herbs to choose from when it comes to
getting the rest you need. The best part? There are far less side effects
than prescription sleeping pills or over the counter medications that can make you
drowsy and out of it during the day (check with your MD before stopping any
medications).

Try taking a dose of herbal tincture or two
capsules an hour before bed. Chamomile has long been used as a remedy for sleep. It's a nerve restorative and will help calm you if you have anxiety and stress. Chamomile is also high in nerve and muscle relaxing calcium, magnesium, potassium
and some of the B vitamins which are known to aid relaxation. Taken before bedtime, chamomile is also a traditional remedy to help those
prone to nightmares.

Hops help to induce sleep and provides a
pleasant numbing sensation. Hops contains lupulin which is considered a strong,
but safe reliable sedative. It can help mellow you out. Hops is sedative as well and can help ease minor pain.

Kava kava, native to the South Pacific is an ancient Polynesian remedy for insomnia and nervousness and is reputed to
induce vivid dreams. It is often used in the islands ceremoniously as a
religious ritual, to welcome guests and honor births, marriages and business
deals. It helps foster open communication and a feeling of 'letting go."

Passion flower helps to relax the mind so it's useful for worried insomniacs. It slows down the breakdown of serotonin and
norepinephrine, allowing one to maintain a more peaceful state of
consciousness. Passion flower has traditionally been used to treat hysteria,
nervousness and to aid recovery in nervous breakdown. It is an anti spasmodic
and sedative.

Skullcap is considered one of the best tonics
for the nervous system. It has long been used to ease emotional upsets, restlessness and insomnia. It is rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium. Scutellarin,
which is contained in this herb gets transformed into scutellarein which
stimulates the brain to produce more endorphins. Use skullcap to help rebuild a
nervous system that is exhausted. Skullcap is best when
used over an extended period of time.

Valerian helps sleep disorders that are the
result of anxiety. However some people find valerian works as a stimulant,rather than a sedative. because their bodies are unable to transform the essential oils in valerian into
valerianic acid, one of the main calming components. If this is the case, try another herb to help you sleep.

For many people though, valerian calms fear,
anxiety and panic. During World War I, valerian was used to treat shell shock.
In Germany valerian is used for childhood behavioral problems, yet still gives
the children good reaction time and muscle coordination. But large doses over long periods of time are not
recommended for those with a tendency towards depression. It doesn't taste good though, so try taking it in capsule or tincture form
rather than as a tea. It works best for two to three week periods or
when needed rather than on a daily basis.

Try a Herbal Sachet. Another way of using the benefits of herbs to
sleep is in the making of pillow, which is simply a sachet about 5 by 5
inches filled with hops. This is inserted into one's pillowcase. The calming
aroma helps slumber. Other herbs that have been used for sleep sachets include
lavender, chamomile and woodruff, lemon balm. A pillow for children's
sleep could be filled with dill seed, fennel seed and lavender. Both King
George II and Abraham Lincoln are said to have slept with hops pillows to help
them sleep.

Check in next week, for Part Two: Supplements for Sweet Dreams and the week after that for Part Three: Practices for Sweet Dreams. In the meantime, here's the scoop on my new book SCENT to KILL: A Natural Remedies Mystery.

Willow McQuade, naturopathic doctor, along with her hunky
ex-cop boyfriend Jackson Spade, attend a party for a psychic TV show that is
filming on Long Island’s idyllic East End. However, Willow is much more
interested in visiting the estate’s lavender farm, seeking inspiration for the
new aromatherapy workshops she'll be holding at her store, Nature’s Way Market
& Café.

Before the party is over, Roger Bixby
one of the producers is dead and the police suspect murder. Roger was working
on the show, MJ’s Mind, with Carly Bixby, his ex-wife and the new
girlfriend of Willow's ex from L.A., TV writer/producer Simon Lewis.

After Willow leaves the party, she gets
a frantic text from Simon asking for her help. Since Simon had a fight with
Roger earlier in the evening, and because of his death is now the primary
shareholder in Galaxy films, Willow's ex becomes the prime suspect. Simon begs
her to crack the case and clear him of the murder. MJ McClellan, the
psychic and star of the show also asks Willow for help. She hires Willow to
provide natural remedies, including aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and yoga
to soothe the agitated crew of her show.

To find the killer, Willow has to deal
with ghosts in a haunted mansion, a truly dysfunctional family, death threats
and “accidents,” while trying to untangle a homicide identical to one committed
during prohibition. Thankfully, Jackson has been hired to provide security and
is there to watch her back and help Willow solve this spooky mystery.

As a bonus, you’ll find dozens of
natural aromatherapy cures throughout the book that can improve your health.

This is my rescue dachshund Wallander (named after Kurt Wallander, the Swedish detective in Henning Mankell's books) and I'm the author of SCENT TO KILL, (Gallery
Books/Simon & Schuster) the second in the NATURAL REMEDIES MYSTERY series,
DEATH DROPS: A Natural Remedies Mystery, the non-fiction title THE COMPLETE
IDIOT'S GUIDE TO NATURAL REMEDIES (Alpha, 2009), the co-author of BEAT SUGAR
ADDICTION NOW! (Fairwinds Press, 2010), currently in its fourth printing, the
BEAT SUGAR ADDICTION NOW!COOKBOOK (Fairwinds Press, 2012) and THE COUNTRY
ALMANAC OF HOME REMEDIES (Fairwinds, 2011). My magazine articles
featuring natural remedies have appeared in many national publications
including Natural Health, Vegetarian Times, Better Homes & Gardens and
Remedy. Visit www.chrystlefiedler.com.

2 comments:

I'll have to try some of your suggestions, Chrystle. I used to fall asleep fast and sleep well, but these days it usually takes me a while to drop off--sometimes because my subconscious mind is feeding me story ideas, or reminders, or just whatever it feels like! Thanks for the help.